Army Reserve promotes Private Public Partnership at New Jersey job fair

Several hundred service members, veterans and military spouses attend the Hiring Our Heroes job fair Jan. 21 at the Timmermann Conference Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. The Army Reserve was a key partner in the event, which featured more than 80 employers, schools and service providers, who offered employment and education opportunities to attendees. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Morris/Released)

Army Reserve promotes Private Public Partnership at New Jersey job fair

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, left, speaks with Staff Sgt. Kathleen Parent, operations noncommissioned officer with the Army Reserve's 78th Training Division, during the Hiring Our Heroes job fair Jan. 21 at the Timmermann Conference Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. The Army Reserve was a key partner in the event, which featured more than 80 employers, schools and service providers, who offered employment and education opportunities to attendees. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Morris/Released)

Army Reserve promotes Private Public Partnership at New Jersey job fair

Published Jan. 28, 2015
By Staff Sgt. Shawn Morris
99th Regional Support Command

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Several hundred service members, veterans and military spouses attended the Hiring Our Heroes job fair Jan. 21 at the Timmermann Conference Center here.

The Army Reserve was a key partner in the event, which featured more than 80 employers, schools and service providers, who offered employment and education opportunities to attendees.

"Army Reserve Soldiers have many tangible and intangible skills that can easily transfer to the private or public sector," explained Command Sgt. Maj. Luther Thomas Jr., command sergeant major for the Army Reserve. "Army Reserve Soldiers are logisticians, transporters, engineers, legal and medical professionals, as well as leaders who can be counted on to show up on time and stay until the job is complete."

The Army Reserve is counting on its Private Public Partnership Office to continue to match the skills and capabilities of its Soldiers with the know-how and resources of private and public entities. This effort includes highlighting Soldiers' leadership skills, which add value to the Army and the joint force, as well as employers and communities.

"Many Soldiers have had leadership positions and are proven leaders," Thomas said.

While an Army Reserve Soldier's military experience can make him or her a better student or civilian employee, the reverse is also true. The Army Reserve is one of the few forces that can leverage opportunities to train its leaders in the civilian world and adapt those civilian skills to military applications.

"These citizen-Soldiers, when they come back after fighting and serving their country, should not have to fight for jobs," said New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno to employers during the event's opening remarks. "If these Soldiers ... can serve in places like Afghanistan, they can certainly serve loyally and honestly and well for you here in New Jersey."

"You've finished your service to your country, we can now serve you," added Guadagno, whose son is currently training to become an Air Force officer.

For more information on the Army Reserve's Private Public Partnership Initiative, please visit http://www.usar.army.mil/resources/Pages/Employer-Partnership-opportunities-and-Information.aspx/